The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-03-12

his pulpit, the stars, and grasses, and
sunsets, and harvests, his texts. The
soul of the true poet is always in har-
mOny with nature, Gods oldest and
neWestrevelation. How many of ChTist's
images and pictures are drawn from the
world around him ! The mustard plant
The vines of the vineyard, the hills, the
lakes, the lilies, are in his talks. The
birds Of the air sing, and the breezes
OI0W IN his discOuTses. He was an in
terpreter of nature to man. The rain
falling upon the just and unjust, was the
symbol of Gods impartial bounty. The
grass of the field was an example Of his
care, the fg-tree putting forth leaves a
sign Of his presence. Back of nature
was the life of God back of nature was
the thought Of God which Jesus, as
poet, interpreted for those who listened
to his music.
Even more marked than this charac-
teristic is his sympathy with men.
How deep was his insight into the hu-
man heart "IIe knew what was in
man." "COme," F." exclaimed the Sama-
ritan woman, see a man who told me
all things that ever 1 did" His ming
ling with men in the quiet home at
Nazareth, and in the crowded streets of
Jerusalem his own temptations, and
sorrows, ard joys, had taught him the
experiences Of the race. He interpre-
ted to men their thoughts. He eX-
planned to them the meaning Of their
halfformed desires and aspirations. He
set free the ideas that were struggling
to rise. He met with visions of reali-
zation, hopes that hardly dared ex-
press themselves. The multitudes heard
him gladly. Here, at last, was one who
could understand them, and whose
words could minister to the sorrows
and longings of their hearts.
Follow this thought into certain de-
tails. ut will be found upon careful
examination" says one, THAT there is
no better clue to the quality Of any
minstrel than his manner Of writing
about children, his greater or less ref
erence to child-like experience, and his
fondness for child-like moods" Judged
by this test, Jesus has the true poetic
spirit. The merry feet of children
danced in his words. Their prattle and
laughter he heard and loved as they
played in the market place. They fur
pished him his truest example of great
ness. They were dear to his Father
in heaven. The angels who had charge
over them were specially honored. He
took them in his arms and blessed them,
pronouncing over their shining heads
the blessing that throws a halo around
childhood to-day.
We are impressed by his reverence
for woman, no less than by his love for
children. No true poet, " it is rightly
affirmed, "could ever sing to her degra-
datiou and infamy, but always to her
honor, her virtue, her gentleness, and
her nobility.n These qualities were
recognized by Jesus. Even in those
who had fallen, he saw the inherent
womanhoOd and strove to bring it out.
No one ever dealt more gently with the
erring, no one ever more truly honored
the upright. lie accepted the ministry
of woman. His friendship with Mary
and Martha, no less than with Lazarus
their brother, is one of the most beau
tiful parts of his history. The deeds
of women as we'll as men, he has i'm.
mcrtalized. The poor widow who cast
her last mite into the treasury is the
worlds great example of sacrifice
wherever his gospel is preached the de-
voti0u Of her who broke for him the box
of ointment is remembered. In the ag-
onies of the cross, he forgot not his
mother. Woman redeemed is the
poetry into which Jesus breathed i'm
mortal grace, immortal beauty, and
immortal life"